Gravy Films has added director Kat Coiro to its talent roster for commercial representation.
Director of the romantic comedy feature Marry Me starring Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, Coiro also has a prolific television career, directing many pilots and episodes and serving as executive producer on several series. She directed and executive produced the pilot episode of CBSโ upcoming Matlock reboot starring Kathy Bates. Coiro also served as co-EP and pilot director of Girls5Evaย from executive producers Robert Carlock and Tina Fey. Additional episodic TV comedy credits include Dead to Me, Modern Family, Shameless, Itโs Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Mick, Disney+ series The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Coiroโs directing career began with writing and producing shorts, such as FunnyOrDieโs viral Idiots, starring Kate Bosworth and Zoe Saldana. Coiroโs ability to root even the most outlandish comedy in realism and grounded performances has translated well into her commercial career, where she often brings heart and humanity to brands like Virgin Atlantic, Coldwell Banker, Skechers, and Gold Peak. Prior to joining Gravy, Coiro had been repped by production company division7. Outside of directing, Coiro is a noted activist and advocate for championing a more sustainable and equitable world: she works with the disabled community in Hollywood and has partnered with studios and guilds through her initiative LIGTHSCAMERAPLASTIC to reduce unnecessary waste on sets across the industry.
Coiro said, โIโve been looking for a reason to move from narrative to commercials and Gravy is that reason! Their fabulous reputation precedes them but they also seem to be making the coolest, most ingenious and creative spots in the marketplace. I cannot wait to collaborate with the Gravy family and bring some awesome commercials to life.โ
Brent Stoller, executive producer and owner of Gravy, shared, โKat is an incredible talent who elevates everything she touches. Whether itโs a commercial, studio feature, or a TV show, she creates an environment where everyone, both on and off-screen, can do their best work. Her comedic timing is impeccable, and her unique spin on storytelling always shines through.โ
Review: Director-Writer Megan Park’s “My Old Ass”
They say tripping on psychedelic mushrooms triggers hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia and nervousness. In the case of Elliott, an 18-year-old restless Canadian, they prompt a visitor.
"Dude, I'm you," says the guest, as she nonchalantly burns a 'smores on a campfire next to a very high and stunned Elliott. "Well, I'm a 39-year-old you. What's up?"
What's up, indeed: Director-writer Megan Park has crafted a wistful coming-of-age tale using this comedic device for "My Old Ass" and the results are uneven even though she nails the landing.
After the older Elliott proves who she is โ they share a particular scar, childhood memories and a smaller left boob โ the time-travel advice begins: Be nice to your brothers and mom, and stay away from a guy named Chad.
"Can we hug?" asks the older Elliott. They do. "This is so weird," says the younger Elliott, who then makes things even weirder when she asks for a kiss โ to know what it's like kissing yourself. The older Elliott soon puts her number into the younger's phone under the name "My Old Ass." Then they keep in touch, long after the effects of the 'shrooms have gone.
Part of the movie's problem that can't be ignored is that the two Elliotts look nothing alike. Maisy Stella plays the coltish young version and a wry Aubrey Plaza the older. Both turn in fine performances but the visuals are slowly grating.
The arrival of the older Elliott coincides with her younger self counting down the days until she can flee from her small town of 300 in the Muskoka Lakes region to college in Toronto, where "my life is about to start." She's sick of life on a cranberry farm.
Park's scenes and dialogue are unrushed and honest as Elliott takes her older self's advice and tries to repair... Read More